Abbott filed Executive Order prohibiting organizations from requiring vaccine passports.
Tuesday morning, Governor Greg Abbott filed an Executive Order, dated April 5, that bans private entities, Texas government agencies, and political subdivisions from requesting documentation of vaccine status.
Abbott’s Executive Order effectively “prohibits organizations receiving public funds from requiring consumers to provide documentation of vaccine status in order to receive any service or enter any place.”
“Everyday, Texans are returning to normal life as more people get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. But, as I’ve said all along, these vaccines are always voluntary and never forced,” Abbott announced on Twitter. “Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives. That is why I have issued an Executive Order that prohibits government-mandated vaccine passports in Texas. We will continue to vaccinate more Texans and protect public health — and we will do so without treading on Texans’ personal freedoms.”
In regards to the political subdivisions, the order defines them as: “a county, municipality, special district, school district, junior college district, housing authority, or other political subdivision of this state or any other state.”
In Texas, businesses can still require employees and customers to wear masks. Masks are also still required in airports and public transportation.